State Rep. Brian Ellis (R-11) has filed for another week of paid medical leave, according to the House GOP.
Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus spokesperson Mike Straub told our newsroom that House leadership still maintains the position that Ellis should resign.
A January 24th story in the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Ellis is under investigation by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office for sexual assault. He has not been charged with any crime.
Straub said Ellis has been stripped of his committee assignments.
“Rep. Ellis hasn’t been charged with anything yet,” Straub said. “So, really, the harshest thing our leadership could have done initially is to remove him from his committee chairmanship.”
Ellis had previously been the chairman of House’s Consumer Affairs Committee.
Straub also said no formal action has been taken by house members since the legal process is ongoing.
“At this point no one has objected to any of Rep. Ellis’ absences,” Straub said. “So if somebody did, after five unexcused absences, then the other members could take action to potentially remove him from his seat.”
Straub said it is typical to allow the legal process to play-out, before members take any action on the floor of the house.
Ellis has not issued any statement in regards to the allegations. He has been serving in the house since 2004 and was re-elected with 76 percent of the vote in the 2018 election.
